Cybersecurity Certificate

What Is Cybersecurity?

The Cybersecurity Certificate program is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program provided by the School of Criminal Justice, Department of Information Technology, and the Department of Political Science that empowers students from multiple disciplines to define and understand the behavioral, technical, and policy challenges of securing cyberspace and digital life. This program is designed to address the growing needs of companies, governments and organizations of professionals to manage the challenges of security in the cyberspace.

Success Factors

Success factors vary and can be customized to students' individual skills and interests. The primary factor is to ensure graduating students are cybersecurity literate and meet work force expectations in this field. Students specializing in information technologies can develop a variety of skills needed by public and private entities to analyze cyberspace security problems and develop response strategies. Students interested in research careers with think-tanks, or applying to graduate programs, can focus on research and writing on cyberspace security issues. For those who are interested in policy, law enforcement, and governmental services, the certificate will provide introduction to core technical skills combined with the analytical context of behavioral and policy studies related to cybersecurity.

Specific Courses (21 credits)

IT 1050 Fundamentals of Information Technology

IT 1081C System Administration

IT 2030C Information Security and Assurance

CJ 1001 Introduction to Criminal Justice

CJ 4020 Criminal Procedures

POL 2035 Cybersecurity Strategy and Policy

POL 5035C Cyberattack Red Team Collaborative Seminar (capstone)

Career Possibilities

Graduates of this certificate may pursue careers in fields including:

Government agencies, including the Justice Department, the National Security Agency, and Department of State

Law

Criminal justice

State, local and federal government

Non-governmental organizations

Intelligence

Internet Development

Military

Business and financial services

Special Programs

Certificate candidates are invited to special events sponsored by offering schools and departments with distinguished visitors.